Used as a key chiral building block in the synthesis of antiviral drugs, particularly in the development of nucleoside analogs. Its rigid cyclopentane structure with defined stereochemistry helps mimic sugar moieties in nucleosides, enhancing metabolic stability and target selectivity. Commonly employed in the preparation of reverse transcriptase inhibitors for treating HIV and hepatitis B. Also utilized in the design of enzyme inhibitors where precise spatial orientation of functional groups is critical for activity.