Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-123958) and related Prospectus of PDL BioPharma, Inc. for the registration of its 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due February 15, 2012 and 10,554,750 shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated March 10, 2006, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of PDL BioPharma, Inc., PDL BioPharma, Inc. management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, 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, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Palo Alto, California
April 5, 2006