Used in biochemical research to modulate the Hedgehog signaling pathway, particularly in studies related to cell differentiation, tissue development, and cancer biology. It acts as a potent agonist of Smoothened, a key protein in the pathway, enabling researchers to activate signaling in a controlled manner. Commonly applied in assays involving neural development, stem cell maintenance, and disease modeling. Its hydrochloride salt form improves solubility and stability in aqueous solutions, making it suitable for in vitro and in vivo experiments.