Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors and other bioactive molecules. Its structure supports peptide-like frameworks, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for creating enantiomerically pure compounds. Commonly employed in solid-phase synthesis and as an intermediate in the preparation of drug candidates targeting neurological disorders and viral infections. Also utilized in the design of enzyme inhibitors due to its ability to mimic transition states in peptide bond hydrolysis.