Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of PDL BioPharma, Inc. for the registration of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and units of these securities and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated March 1, 2013, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of PDL BioPharma, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of PDL BioPharma, Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Redwood City, California

June 21, 2013