Used as a chiral intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors and other biologically active molecules. Its stereochemistry allows for selective interactions in enzyme active sites, making it valuable in drug design for conditions such as viral infections or metabolic disorders. The Boc-protected amine and carboxylic acid functionalities enable stepwise coupling reactions, facilitating incorporation into complex peptide-like structures. Commonly employed in research settings for optimizing synthetic routes and improving enantiomeric purity of final drug candidates.