1-methyl-L-4,5-dihydrolactic acid can be used as an intermediate in pharmaceutical synthesis. For example, it can be used to prepare tatirin, which is a pituitary hormone-releasing stimulant. It was successfully developed by Mitsubishi Chemicalbook Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tanabe, Japan. Its trade name is Taltirelin, which belongs to the new chemical medicine category 3.1. At present, it is the most effective drug for improving the dyskinesia of patients with spinocerebellar degeneration.