It serves as the primary starting material for the semi-synthesis of anti-cancer drugs paclitaxel (Taxol) and docetaxel (Taxotere) through selective acylation at the C-13 position extracted from yew tree needles like Taxus baccata.

10-DAB III provides the core taxane skeleton required for side-chain attachment via esterification enabling scalable production of taxane chemotherapeutics that stabilize microtubules and induce apoptosis in cancer cells.

10-Deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB III) is a naturally occurring taxane diterpenoid precursor with the molecular formula CHO (MW 544.60 gmol CAS 32981-86-5) featuring a complex tetracyclic core with four fused rings including an oxetane ring hydroxyl groups at positions 1 7 10 13 and acetatebenzoate esters appearing as a white to off-white crystalline powder.