Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” and to the use of our report dated March 12, 2013, in the Registration Statement (Form S-1) and related Prospectus of Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the registration of shares of its common stock.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Redwood City, California

April 12, 2013

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