Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of antibiotics and peptide-based drugs. Its stereochemistry allows for selective reactions in asymmetric synthesis, making it valuable in developing enantiomerically pure compounds. Commonly employed in the preparation of β-lactam antibiotics and other bioactive molecules where control of molecular handedness is critical. Also utilized in research for developing protease inhibitors and modified amino acids for drug design.