The CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) share price is on course to end the week in the red.
In afternoon trade, the biotherapeutics giant's shares are down 0.5% to $255.80.
This means the CSL share price is down over 13% in 2022 and 20% from its 52-week high of $319.78.
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Why is the CSL share price falling today?
The weakness in the CSL share price on Friday appears to have been driven by a mixed result from one of its rivals, Takeda.
While the Japanese biotech giant reported strong immunoglobulin sales for the third quarter, it also revealed a sizeable reduction in plasma collections.
Concerns about plasma collection headwinds and the impact they could have on CSL's margins have been weighing on sentiment during the pandemic. Based on Takeda's update, it appears as though these headwinds have yet to ease.
Can its shares get back above $300 in 2022?
Until the aforementioned plasma collection headwinds ease, the CSL share price is likely to remain out of favour with investors.
Though, when these headwinds do finally ease and investor sentiment improves, a number of brokers believe its shares could be trading at materially higher levels and well beyond the $300 mark.
For example, both Citi and Morgans have the equivalent of buy ratings on its shares with price targets of $340.00 and $334.70, respectively. These price targets imply potential upside of 30%+ over the next 12 months.
In respect to Morgans, it feels FY 2022 is a transitional year but remains very positive on the long term.
The broker commented: "We view CSL as a core holding and best positioned among its peers to meet growing patient demand, but the near term remains challenged, with timing uncertainty around a full recovery in plasma collections and increasing costs."
