COVER PAGE - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Jan. 06, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-19756
Entity Registrant Name	PDL BioPharma, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	94-3023969
Entity Address, Address Line One	59 Damonte Ranch Parkway
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite B-375
Entity Address, City or Town	Reno
Entity Address, State or Province	NV
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	89521
City Area Code	775
Local Phone Number	832-8500
Title of 12(b) Security	None
Trading Symbol	N/A
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 291,544,988
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		114,515,806
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Central Index Key	0000882104
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Small Business	true