Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Nov. 01, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	PDL BIOPHARMA, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000882104
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		139,834,559
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2011