Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of enzyme inhibitors and bioactive molecules. Its hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional groups allow for selective derivatization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for designing peptidomimetics and neuroactive compounds. The rigid piperidine scaffold with defined stereochemistry enhances binding selectivity in drug candidates targeting central nervous system receptors. Also employed in asymmetric synthesis and catalysis due to its stable stereocenters.