Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors and other bioactive molecules. Its stereochemistry makes it valuable for creating enantioselective drugs, where high purity of one enantiomer is critical for efficacy and safety. Commonly employed in research and development for central nervous system agents and antiviral compounds. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis to introduce specific side chains in peptide-like structures.