Used primarily as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of neuroprotective agents and drugs targeting glutamate receptors. Its structural similarity to endogenous amino acids allows it to act as a substrate or inhibitor in enzymatic reactions, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for designing enzyme inhibitors. Also employed in asymmetric synthesis to introduce chirality in complex molecules. Its dicarboxylic acid functionality enables conjugation or salt formation, useful in prodrug strategies and improving solubility of active compounds.