Disclosed is a granulate formulation of 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone (pirfenidone), wherein said granulate formulation comprises: 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, said excipients comprising an effective amount of an absorption-enhancing binder to increase the AUC of the 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone at least 45 per cent upon oral administration, as compared to pirfenidone without excipients orally administered in a capsule shell.
